Maui on short list
for solar telescope

WAILUKU » The Maui mountain known in Hawaiian legends as the "House of the Sun" has been designated as the top site for developing the world's largest solar optical observatory.

Advanced Technology Solar Telescope Facts about the world's largest solar optical telescope: Operation: Has 13-foot primary mirror; telescope's goal is to understand solar magnetic activity affecting space weather and communications. Scheduled to be operating 2010-2012. Funding: $161.4 million for construction; will need $12.9 million in annual operating costs. Crew: 40 to 50 scientists, engineers and staff workers

The Science Working Group of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope has recommended Haleakala as the site for the project, which is expected to cost about $161.4 million to build and will generate about $13 million in revenues annually, including payroll and other operating costs.

National Solar Observatory officials are scheduled to make a final selection of the site for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope in December.

If developed, the solar telescope, funded by the National Science Foundation, is expected to be the 12th major telescope on Haleakala.

"The whole thing is a big success for Hawaii, and I'm certain the decision will be in favor of Haleakala," Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, director of the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, said yesterday.

Thomas Rimmele, an observatory project scientist, said the solar telescope will advance the fundamental understanding of the star that most affects life on Earth.

"ATST will be ... the world's leading resource for studying the magnetism that controls solar wind, solar flares and variability in the sun's output," he said.

The telescope, with a 13-foot primary mirror, will vastly improve the view of the sun and its corona, said observatory spokesman Dave Dooling.

For example, scientists have been able to identify areas on the sun the size of Texas or Alaska, but with the new telescope they will be able to see areas about 12 miles wide, Dooling said.

A closer examination of the sun will help scientists in understanding the cause of sunspots, the sun reversing its polarity and the role of magnetism in generating solar activity, he said.

The science working group made the recommendation last Thursday during a workshop in Tucson, Ariz., following a review of sites at Haleakala, La Palma in the Canary Islands off Spain, and Big Bear Lake in California.

The group initially chose six sites out of a list of 72 locations.

Rimmele said survey information indicated a number of advantages that put Hawaii at the top of the list for final consideration for the project.

Dooling said one of the factors contributing to the group's recommendation included the presence of the Institute for Astronomy's Mees Solar Observatory on Haleakala.

Other characteristics include clear skies, low humidity and low dust levels, he said.

National Solar Observatory officials expect to have the telescope in operation around 2010-2012.